Signing Santa Back for 10th Year
When Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (D&HHS) presents a Deaf Santa on Saturday, December 7, it won’t be the first time a signing St. Nick has made an appearance on behalf of the organization. The tradition goes back to 2010.
But for Deb Atwood, D&HHS executive director, every appearance is like the first.
“To see a child who is Deaf have that experience with a Deaf Santa who literally speaks their language takes my breath away every time,” said Atwood. “It never gets old. Every time I see it, I see it through the eyes of the child, and it is amazing every single time.”
The tradition will take place this year on Saturday, December 7 from 11 am to 1 pm at Crossroads Middle School, 4400 Ambrose NE in Grand Rapids.
In addition to signing Santa, the event also will feature two signed story times at 11:30 am and 12:30 pm, and it will include holiday crafts, snacks and drinks.
There also will be numerous interpreters at the event so that everyone has access. Interpreters at the entrance, interpreters at the crafts, interpreters for Santa and interpreters for the story. Every station will have ASL to English and English to ASL interpreters.
And gifts will be available to the first 50 children.
Atwood notes that gift donations from the public are being welcomed by D&HHS. People who would like to donate can call 616-732-7358 for more details. Click here for the link to the event page.
